Category: Jigsaw Puzzles

Unicorns

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store PuzzlesLeave a comment
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Unicorns – Ravensburger – 96 pieces

If the first puzzle ball we found at the thrift store hadn’t been complete I don’t think we’d have bought anymore. That first globe we assembled was lots of fun for us and all the pieces were there, now mom can’t seem to pass up a puzzle ball if she finds any at the thrift stores. 🙂

5 missing pieces from a 96 piece puzzle is a lot, and it makes assembling a ball quite difficult. Fortunately we were able to get a pretty picture without having to show the glaring holes. This was our first time putting together a kid’s puzzle ball, and the fit seemed a bit odd. The pieces didn’t seem to want to click or stay together as well as the other ones we’ve assembled, the finished image isn’t as smooth as you’d want a ball to be. I don’t know if that’s the puzzle itself or the fact that it’s been assembled before (perhaps many times); those are the chances you take purchasing from thrift stores I guess.

Other than the fit, the quality was excellent. The pieces are thick and plastic and are numbered on the back to assist with assembly. There is an arrow underneath the number to tell you in which direction the next piece will be placed, this is extremely helpful when you’re assembling it by the numbers. You don’t have to use them though, you can put it together using the image just like any other puzzle – it’s completely up to you.

I hate saying that the quality was good “other than the fit”, fit is pretty darned important with a puzzle! Although those of us who are hard core puzzle practitioners will sometimes put up with a lot to be able to get a fix of that sweet, sweet puzzle magic. At least I would. I’ve got a full-blown addiction going on here!

Review: Apple Pie Kitchen

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviewsLeave a comment
This post is sponsored by Cobble Hill Puzzles.
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Apple Pie Kitchen by Kip Richmond – Cobble Hill – 500 pieces

Apple Pie Kitchen is a gorgeous image, and was a fun puzzle to assemble. I love an old country kitchen, I think I may have been born too late to enjoy them though; I was raised in the age of hideous avocado colored refrigerators and enormous microwave ovens.

Cobble Hill Puzzles are excellent quality, and this puzzle was no exception. The pieces are a good thickness with a linen finish, the image reproduction is very good with beautiful colors and crisp lines. The cut is random, which I find makes for a fun and interesting assembly although some puzzlers find working with them more difficult; and the fit was excellent. Their catalog is varied, with plenty of different styles to choose from, and their new puzzles come with a poster to help with assembly. Click the link above to see all the Cobble Hill puzzles currently available at one of their preferred online retailers, Puzzle Warehouse.

This puzzle was a joy to assemble; I love the warm, homey feeling of the image. The random cut of the pieces kept me on my toes and completing each small section gave me a great sense of satisfaction. This puzzle is definitely recommended!

Details:

  • Title:                  Apple Pie Kitchen
  • Artist:                Kip Richmond
  • Brand:               Cobble Hill Puzzles
  • Piece count:     500 pieces
  • Size:                  Approx. 26 x 19 in. (69 x 48 cm)
  • Purchased:      N/A, sent for review

Quality:

  • Board:               Very good
  • Cutting:             Very good
  • Image:               Excellent
  • Box:                   Very good, poster included
  • Fit:                     Very good
  • Puzzle Dust:     Minimal amount
  • Piece cut:          Random cut
  • Piece shapes:   Very good variety
  • Finish:               Matte finish, lays flat

Overall Rating:      Very good, recommended

 

I received this product at no cost in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

Monarch Butterfly Tree

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments
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Monarch Butterfly Tree by Paul Huessenstamm – Pomegranate – 100 pieces

Usually when you see a 100 piece puzzle they are made for children, these are not kids puzzles! Pomegranate has a whole line of 100 piece puzzles with images by Charley Harper, Edward Gorey, Henri Rousseau and many more. They are beautiful little puzzles that come in a metal tin that’s perfect for traveling. Pomegranate knows how to do it right!

The pieces don’t exactly feel the same as their larger piece count puzzles, but they’re still thick and fit together very well. The finish is a little shiny, but the image reproduction is beautiful and bright with clean lines. I love their images, such beautiful works of art!

I find Paul Huessenstamm’s work is lovely to look at, as well as fun and challenging to assemble, I highly recommend trying a puzzle with his artwork. I reviewed his Mandala Fruit Tree last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s a small little puzzle, and doesn’t take much time. It’s perfect for travel in a very thin and portable metal tin. There are quite a few of these mini puzzles available, all with beautiful artwork; you should check them out!

Starry Night

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment
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Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh – Wentworth Wooden Puzzles – 40 pieces

This 40 piece puzzle is probably the only way I’ll assemble Starry Night. In 1000 pieces or more it will most likely be too frustrating for me; I’ll take what I can get. Look everyone! I assembled Starry Night by Van Gogh! 😎

This time it wasn’t me in the hospital, but I brought along a few of Wentworth’s micro puzzles when I went to visit. You don’t really need a helper when there are only 40 pieces but when you’re laid up with nothing to do but watch tv, assembling a small but fun puzzle with a friend is a much better idea!

The whimsies in this puzzle confused us for a bit; the one in the lower right looks like a baby bottle to me, but I’m sure it’s not. The upper right-hand whimsy had us stumped until I figured out that it was a spilled bottle of ink or paint. The others were easy enough to recognize – a tube of paint, a picture frame, and a palette with paintbrush. Beautiful!

As usual, the quality was exceptional. Thick wooden pieces that feel great in your hand and give a satisfying “plunk” as they fall into place. As heavenly as a starry night!

Review: Easter Eggs

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviews1 Comment
This post is sponsored by Cobble Hill Puzzles.
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Easter Eggs – Cobble Hill Puzzles – 1000 pieces

I love collages, bright colors, cookies, and puzzles – it’s no wonder I loved Easter Eggs! It pushed all the right buttons for me and was one I had a hard time walking away from. For me, these are the most entertaining puzzles, and I loved figuring everything out piece by piece.

Cobble Hill Puzzles are excellent quality, with the only issue I’ve found being that the fit of their 1000 piece puzzles can be somewhat loose. It isn’t so much as to be overly annoying (not for me, anyway), but it is worth mentioning if you’re someone who prefers a tight fit. I puzzle on a fabric covered board, so the loose fit isn’t as much a problem for me. All other areas of quality I find to be excellent, and I never hesitate to purchase a Cobble Hill puzzle. Click the link above to see all of their puzzles currently available from one of their preferred online retailers, Puzzle Warehouse.

I think this was my first Easter puzzle, though I can’t be sure; my memory isn’t what it used to be. I assembled Cobble Hill’s Sugar Skull Cookies last year and had a great time with it, and was looking forward to assembling Easter Eggs – I wasn’t disappointed. The pieces are easy to sort and the random cut was interesting to assemble. I enjoy taking a bunch of similarly colored pieces and figuring out how they fit together. I don’t need the box to tell me anything, I’m figuring it out on my own. This is basically the thing that all puzzlers enjoy, putting the image back together. Collages like this are the most fun for me because it’s like assembling many mini puzzles all connected together.

I highly recommend this puzzle, it was great fun to assemble and has me looking forward to working on the rest of their cookie series – Halloween Cookies, Ugly Christmas Sweaters, and there’s another Easter puzzle called Easter Cookies (mostly the same cookies in a different pattern – looks like fun!) They also have one called Christmas Bake Sale, but it looks like a little bit too much of a challenge for me!

Details:

  • Title:                   Easter Eggs
  • Artist:                 Photography by Jo-Ann Richards
  • Brand:                Cobble Hill Puzzles
  • Piece Count:      1000 pieces
  • Size:                    Approx. 27 x 19 in. (69 x 48 cm)
  • Purchased:        N/A, sent for review

Quality:

  • Board:                   Very good
  • Cutting:                 Very good
  • Image:                   Excellent
  • Box:                       Very good, poster included
  • Fit:                          Somewhat loose
  • Puzzle dust:          Minimal amount
  • Piece cut:              Random cut
  • Piece shapes:       Very good variety
  • Finish:                   Matte finish, lays flat

Overall rating:              Very good quality, recommended

I received this product at no cost in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.